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Thursday, January 28, 2016

One of the reasons we started up a large school climate program at our school was to share some tools that teachers could use with their students' behavior. Think sheets, in my opinion, are a fabulous tool to use when used appropriately. Although kids don't love filling them out and bringing them home for their parents to review and sign (a necessity), they really are a good tool for turning problematic student behavior into a lesson:

What is a better choice to make next time?

That's really what we want them to learn, right? That when a similar incident happens next time, they make a different choice, a better choice.

I designed my first think sheet 2 years ago in a pinch when I need something to use for a Kindergartener. They couldn't write sentences, and I didn't want to have them dictate. So, I figured drawing out the incident (and a better choice) next time would be a good idea. I've added and changed it along the way, but this version is the most popular with teachers at my school, even in the older grades.

You can download this one page Think Sheet HERE from google drive for FREE, or this and another 2 versions on my TPT store for a bargain. Let me know how these work out for you and your students!

Monday, January 25, 2016

We all have our standard counseling groups-one for anxiety, a lunch bunch for friendship, a social thinking review. This group, however is unique, and always a lot of fun to do.

I don't run this group every year, and it's really based on the student need. It's a great way to get those kids who wouldn't normally buy into social groups, into one, because it revolves around sports. I actually have students begging to make up group and come even after it's finished. :)

I put together my newest TPT store packet to share, but also as a reference for myself. Sometimes, it's nice not to have to think too much, and just pull out a piece of paper to tell you what to do, right?

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

A while back I shared my Advice for the New School Psychologist. Getting and starting your first job as a "real" school psych is as exciting as it is nerve-wracking. You are so ready to take on the world, but at the same time, feel like you have no idea what you are getting yourself into. Right?

You are most likely taking over the job of someone else who left your district. This can mean a few things: you are taking the place of someone who left behind some district-purchased goodies that are a-okay, or you are inheriting 20 years of files and papers.

I don't believe it's necessary or wise to go crazy buying everything off amazon before you start and here's why: you won't really know what you'll need, until you get to know your job and your kiddos. Often, my population varies year to year (or every few years), and my needs change. So, I came up with a list of things that would be helpful to start out with, at the beginning.

1. A report template: I mentioned this in my first post, but I cannot stress how helpful it will be to put something together before you need to. Because in all likelihood, but the time you need to be writing that report, you will already have 5,000 other things on your plate as well. So start it now, while you have time.

2. Fun games for kids: You don't need much to start with, and what you need probably depends on the kids you work with. I found that, my first year, even though I had every game in the world, all my kids wanted to play with was the old psych's legos and foam blocks. That said, a game of Uno and sorry will suffice at the beginning. And ask around-coworkers, family and friends often have used board games their own children have outgrown!

3. A planner: You will be a popular person for meeting invitations. In order to remember to attend these, and to know when you are double (and triple!) booked, you will need some place to write these down. So paper, or electronic, be prepared on your first day.

4. Professional clothing: This might vary according to the school and district you work with. My first year, I made it a point to look as professional as possible, even if I didn't feel like it all the time. To this day, I feel better in tough meetings, when I'm rocking a blazer and my glasses. Am I crazy? Maybe it's just me. This is especially important if you are young out of grad school, and work in a high school setting. A few months into my career, I asked for the key to the faculty bathroom at our high school, only to be told "Sorry, that's for staff only, hon!"

5. A comfy place for students to relax: When I moved into my office, it was outfitted with a leather Freudian -style couch. Appropriate, for a psychologist, I suppose, but I couldn't imagine a Kindergartener coming in and opening up about their life while sitting on red leather. I quickly donated it to another part of the school, and replaced it with a "calming spot", which I have had ever since. A tiny rug, and some comfy pillows or a chair is all it takes. Kids love it. And there are some days, I just want to close my door and take a break in the calming spot myself.

6. Snacks: You probably know this from being in an internship, but there are days where you will forget to eat lunch. Or, you will think that you have an hour for lunch, and you end up spending that on the playground trying to get a student in for lunch. If you get HANGRY like me, (or if you just need energy to function), don't forget your snacks. Snack drawer, people. It's essential.

7. A bag to bring it all home: If this is your first job, splurge and get yourself a nice bag to lug back and forth to your office(s) with you. I know, I know, "don't bring work home", but it happens. When you are the last person in the building and you aren't even halfway through your report, and you're falling asleep, it's better to take a break and bring it home. And you will need a bag to tote that laptop, and iPad, and 10 folders.

8. Some resources for counseling, but bring what you have, or what you know: Like I mentioned above, please don't feel like you have to go crazy over materials. Over the years, the resources I have used the most are the ones that I have borrowed from other people, and then bought myself. Or, I will try out some freebies online, and then see if the curriculum works for me. So, my advice would be, use what you have learned in school. If you really like Social Thinking, buy a book. But don't go nuts for things you might not use.

Your first year as a School Psych is going to be just as exciting as it is overwhelming and nerve-wracking. And before you know it, you'll be an expert 2nd year professional!